Dream of summer — how about joining friends and neighbours in the first York Quay Dragon Boat Team? You don’t need any special skills or be young and musclebound, just have an adventurous spirit and a taste for the outdoors. Tim MacFarlane of the non-profit Rusty Dragons offers to coach a new team on the Waterfront. Here is a team he formed for the Harbord Village Residents Association.

If enough sign up to make a team, they will practice once a week for 7 weeks in May and June. At the end, the team will paddle in the fun Canada Day Dragon Race on the Islands. There is a single registration fee of $75 for the whole experience — practices and regatta. Tim will adjust the times of practice to fit the schedules of a York Quay team, so don’t hesitate to grab this opportunity. The dragon boat training starts at the Ashbridge’s Park near Lake Shore Blv. and Woodbine Park. To join the team, contact Tim MacFarlane at tim@rustydragons.ca. Registration is now OPEN! You can register here.

Another summer dream — join the Harbourfront Canoe & Kayak Centre right in our neighbourhood, at Queens Quay W. and Rees Street. It is a hub of canoeing and kayaking activities all summer. Beginners can sign up for the “Social Paddle” on Wed-Thur-Fri evenings all summer, with trained instructors taking the group for a leisurely paddle to the island lagoons and ending with a BBQ. Boats, paddle and equipment are provided for this unique Toronto experience for all age groups.The HCKC offers training, boats and events for all skill levels in this gorgeous setting. It is a treasured Toronto tradition not to be missed! Look at their website for details or call 416 203-2277, email: ask@paddletoronto.com.

Explore a new genre! Expand a skill! Embark upon a learning adventure of a lifetime! Harbourfront Centre’s stimulating Courses & Workshops return for a third year with a wide range of new programmes including creative workshops for families. The fall semester of Courses & Workshops runs from October to December, 2007.

Register early as courses and workshops require a minimum number of participants. To register or for more information, the public can call 416-952-4046 or visit www.harbourfrontcentre.com/courses.

We are trying to inform as many area residents as possible. If you have a newsletter, could we be included? Would you be able to post this information on your website or distribute in any other available manner to area residents?